Our School
September through June the school day begins at 7:30AM and ends at 4:30PM. Learning is fostered through:
Students are required to stay for afternoon study hall. Afternoon sports and clubs are also available for students to engage with each other and their teachers outside of the classroom.
SIS after school clubs provide a valuable opportunity for students to:
In addition to our challenging academic program, our Extended Day programming provides the opportunity for our students to participate in both extra-curricular and athletic activities. The afternoon activities include, but are not limited to:
Attending summer sleep-away camp is a rite of passage for many school-aged children. It is an opportunity to develop important social and emotional skills, as much as it is a chance to have fun, spend time in nature, and pursue new interests. SIS’s tuition-free program makes it possible for SIS students to participate in a very special summer camp experience designed just for them - the Summer Leadership Program - which focuses on building community.
In the spirit of “cura personalis”, or education of the whole person, the Summer Leadership Program provides rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders five weeks of additional learning and recreational opportunities to further develop their leadership and academic skills while also participating in activities like sports, arts and theater. The influence of this program is considered such an integral part of student success that it is a mandatory element of SIS’s 11-month school year calendar.
The first two weeks of the summer program take place at SIS. During half-day sessions, students solidify the fundamentals of reading, writing, and STEM skills by revisiting curriculum that was covered during the year. This serves to prevent “summer slide” as well as ensure mastery before moving onto the next grade. For incoming 6th graders, it is an opportunity to acclimate to the routines and expectations of SIS and for teachers to assess their new students.
The following three weeks are held at Camp Montserrate, in Lake Placid, NY, through the generosity of the Julian Reiss Foundation, which for more than fifty years has operated the residential camp for children in Nativity model middle schools. For many students, this is their first trip outside the Bronx!
Each camp day is designed with activities to foster students’ academic and leadership skills in a vibrant atmosphere of interactive learning – where students may pursue both existing interests and feel safe and supported (“open to growth”) to try new things: Experimenting with robots! Discovering the science of forensics! Engineering a solar-powered s’mores oven! – all the while developing important critical thinking and teamwork skills – but also taking part in traditional camp activities like: swimming, hiking, field trips, and community meal time. Parents are kept updated by social media posts and weekly phone calls.
Meals are prepared on-site through the Summer Food Sponsorship Program. Meals are prepared on site through the Summer Food Sponsorship Program. Learn more about the SFSP here (NYS Child Nutrition Knowledge Center) and here (USDA Justice for All Civil Rights notice).
Recognized as a key element for creating a roadmap to success for children and adults alike, at the end of camp students set goals for the upcoming school year which they will revisit in January at “Renew the Spirit of Camp” day, when progress is evaluated and goals tweaked for the remainder of the academic year.
The Summer Leadership Program is a unique and invaluable experience for SIS students – providing bonding time for educators and students, particularly the new incoming 6th graders, creating a strong sense of community, sharing a window into the world outside the Bronx, and instilling wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
Unlike most public schools, SIS’s low student-to-teacher ratio enables strong relationships and better communication in our classrooms, among all teachers, and across all disciplines- which is why our students receive extra help when they need it. Our Response to Intervention (RTI) team offers a positive, collaborative approach to assessing student needs, and implements effective strategies for students who need extra support. The team meets regularly to discuss, problem solve, and enhance the student’s school experience. Through this process, a plan for student success is crafted with strategies that may go beyond the typical classroom experience.
